TRANSITIONS: Change comes to Natchez shopping scene as new pizzeria readies to open, other businesses close
“We are the primary catering for Magnolia Signature Hotel special events and cater for Alcorn State Athletics and other entities. That’s not going to change,” Furdge said. “People will still be able to book us for events.”Southern Sugar Company, formerly Wishes, announced on Thursday that it has permanently closed following a post earlier this month from owners Tucker and Erin Bruce about the upcoming closure and economic challenges small business owners are facing. “The overhead/economy has gotten too high for us to continue,” the bakery shared on its social media page. “We had so many plans for the bakery, and I hope to continue that one day! We’re going to take a break and maybe come back in a new location that’s not so expensive for us. Small businesses are hurting—everywhere. It’s always hard to make the decision to close ... 2026 could’ve been our best year, but what if it’s not? It’s a huge risk to take that we’re not able to do.“Our customers have been so good to us and we can’t thank you enough! We have loved owning this bakery for the last year, meeting all new people, trying new things, and learning to bake new sweet treats for all of you.”A Gallerie owner Kaelin Russell asked customers in a social media whether they would like to see her sell the business to someone else or continue it as an online only or booth-style setup similar to her other venture Kaelor & Co. Russell said running a business on top of her other responsibilities as a mom and active arm in the community has become overbearing.“The weight of trying to carry everything on my plate right now has become overwhelming, and I know something has to change for my health and my family. Just because I can do it all, does not mean I should,” she said in her post.As for the decision to close Rolling River Reloaded, Furdge said she sees it as a positive change in direction, allowing her to lose one door and focus on important things like family and her catering business and ministry.“I believe in what Ecclesiastes says, 'for everything there’s a time and a season and a purpose' and a time to pivot,” Furdge said. “Rolling River Reloaded has served its purpose as far as the restaurant is concerned, and it’s just one business of many that we do. We never stopped building out the other entities that we have. It was one of the many things that we were able to steward well. Now it’s time to move on.“We enjoyed our time and are grateful to serve our community and bring people together in our own way. I feel that we’ve made our mark during the season that we had an opportunity to do so, and I’m really grateful. Every business owner knows that there’s a moment at some point you have to close or transition out and that’s not a negative thing. Thank you to every person who reached out. They’ll see us in different spaces. We definitely appreciate the community’s support.”
